Treadmill with front and rear incline mechanisms

ABSTRACT

A treadmill includes a front lift mechanism and a rear lift mechanism. The treadmill simulates an uphill grade by lifting the front lift mechanism to lift the front of an exercise deck of the treadmill. The treadmill simulates cresting a hill by lifting a rear end of the treadmill after the front end is lifted. A downhill grade is simulated by lowering the front end of the treadmill after the rear end is lifted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional patent application No.62/887,398 entitled “TREADMILL WITH FRONT AND REAR INCLINE MECHANISMS”filed Aug. 15, 2019, which application is herein incorporated byreference for all that it discloses.

BACKGROUND Background and Relevant Art

Many people like to exercise indoors on exercise equipment. Someexercise equipment attempts to simulate or mimic the conditions of anoutdoor exercise. Treadmills often include incline mechanisms thatchange the incline of an exercise deck on a treadmill by raising orlowering portions of the exercise deck. This may simulate uphill ordownhill grades of an outdoor path.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a method for operating a treadmill includesincreasing an incline of an exercise deck from a first deck angle to asecond deck angle by extending a front incline mechanism. The methodincludes, after increasing the incline of the exercise deck, decreasingthe incline of the exercise deck from the second deck angle to a thirddeck angle by extending a rear incline mechanism. After decreasing theincline, further decreasing the incline of the exercise deck from thethird deck angle to a fourth deck angle by retracting the front inclinemechanism. The fourth deck angle is less than 0°.

In other embodiments, a method for operating a treadmill includesraising a front end of an exercise deck with a front incline mechanismfrom a first front end height to a second front end height. Afterraising the front end, the method includes raising a rear end of theexercise deck with a rear incline mechanism from a first rear end heightto a second rear end height. After raising the rear end, the methodincludes lowering the front end of the exercise deck with the frontincline mechanism from the second front height to a third front endheight.

In yet other embodiments, a treadmill includes an exercise deckincluding a frame on a bottom of the exercise deck. The frame includes afront end and a front base is rotationally connected to the front end.The frame further includes a rear base connected to a rear end of theframe. A tread belt is strung between a front pulley and a rear pulley,and a drive motor rotates the front pulley to rotate the tread belt. Afront lift mechanism is attached to the front end of the frame androtates the front base. A rear lift mechanism is attached to the rearend of the frame and rotates the rear base.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure willbe set forth in the description which follows, and in part will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of suchembodiments. The features and advantages of such embodiments may berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures will become more fully apparent from the following descriptionand appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of suchembodiments as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otherfeatures of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particulardescription will be rendered by reference to specific implementationsthereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. For betterunderstanding, the like elements have been designated by like referencenumbers throughout the various accompanying figures. While some of thedrawings may be schematic or exaggerated representations of concepts, atleast some of the drawings may be drawn to scale. Understanding that thedrawings depict some example implementations, the implementations willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1-1 is a perspective view of a treadmill, according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1-2 is a bottom view of the treadmill of FIG. 1-1, according to atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front lift mechanism, according to atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rear lift mechanism, according to atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4-1 is a side view of a treadmill in a neutral configuration,according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4-2 is another side view of the treadmill of FIG. 4-1 in an uphillconfiguration, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4-3 is another side view of the treadmill of FIG. 4-1 in ahillcrest configuration, according to at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4-4 is another side view of the treadmill of FIG. 4-1 in a downhillconfiguration, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5-1 is a schematic view of a treadmill, according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5-2 is another schematic view of the treadmill of FIG. 5-1 in anuphill configuration, according to the embodiment of FIG. 5-1;

FIG. 5-3 is another schematic view of the treadmill of FIG. 5-1 in ahillcrest configuration, according to the embodiment of FIG. 5-1;

FIG. 5-4 is another schematic view of the treadmill of FIG. 5-1 in adownhill configuration, according to the embodiment of FIG. 5-1;

FIG. 6 is a representation of a method for operating a treadmill,according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is another representation of a method for operating a treadmill,according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for operating atreadmill to simulate cresting a hill. When operating a treadmill, auser may desire to simulate walking or running up a hill. Treadmillsoften include lift motors that lift a front portion of an exercise deckup to increase the incline of the exercise deck, which simulates walkingor running up a hill. A user may also desire to simulate walking orrunning down a hill. In some situations, the front portion of theexercise deck of the treadmill may be lowered below a rear portion ofthe exercise deck to create a decline, which simulates walking orrunning down a hill. However, the physical sensation of cresting a hillmay not be fully simulated simply by lowering the front end of theexercise deck. Raising the back of the exercise deck while the front ofthe exercise deck is raised may simulate cresting a hill more fully thanonly lowering the front of the exercise deck. This may improve theexercise experience for the user by allowing the user to simulate thephysical sensation of cresting a hill.

FIG. 1-1 is a perspective view of a representation of a treadmill 100,according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thetreadmill 100 includes an exercise deck 102. A tread belt 104 is strungor wrapped around the exercise deck 102 from a front pulley 106 to arear pulley 108. A drive motor located in a housing 110 is connected tothe front pulley 106 to rotate the front pulley 106. As the front pulley106 rotates, the front pulley 106 rotates the tread belt 104 from thefront pulley 106 to the rear pulley 108 across the exercise deck 102, orfrom a front end 112 to a rear end 114 of the exercise deck 102. Thetreadmill 100 includes posts 116 that support a console 118. The console118 may display exercise information, include exercise controls, house aprocessor for exercise programs, and so forth.

The treadmill 100 includes a front lift mechanism 120 at the front end112 of the exercise deck 102 and a rear lift mechanism 122 at the rearend 114 of the exercise deck 102. The front lift mechanism 120 isconfigured to lift the front end 112 of the exercise deck 102. With thefront end 112 lifted, the user may walk or run on the treadmill 100 onan incline, or “uphill.” The rear lift mechanism 120 is configured tolift the rear end 114 of the exercise deck 102. With the rear end 114lifted, the user may walk or run on the treadmill 100 on a decline, or“downhill.” In some embodiments, the front lift mechanism 120 and therear lift mechanism 122 may be independently operated. In other words,the front lift mechanism 120 may raise and lower the front end 112regardless of the height of the rear end 114, and the rear liftmechanism 122 may raise and lower the rear end 114 regardless of theheight of the front end 112. Furthermore, the front lift mechanism 120may actuate while the rear lift mechanism 122 is actuating or while therear lift mechanism 122 is not actuating, and the rear lift mechanism122 may actuate while the front lift mechanism 120 is actuating or whilethe front lift mechanism 120 is not actuating.

FIG. 1-2 is a representation of the bottom of the treadmill 100 of FIG.1-1. The exercise deck 102 includes or is supported by a frame 124underneath the exercise deck 102. In the embodiment shown, the frame 124includes a first beam 126-1 and a second beam 126-2, the first beam126-1 and the second beam 126-2 being parallel and each extendinglongitudinally along the exercise deck 102. The front lift mechanism 120is located at the front end 112 of the exercise deck 102 and the rearlift mechanism 122 is located at the rear end 114 of the exercise deck102.

The front lift mechanism 120 includes a front lift motor 128. The frontlift motor 128 is connected to the frame 124 with a front support member130 extending between the first beam 126-1 and the second beam 126-2.The front support member 130 may be located at the front end 112, orcloser to the front end 112 than the rear end 114 of the exercise deck102. Thus, the front lift motor 128 may be located at the front end 112,or closer to the front end 112 than the rear end 114 of the exercisedeck 102.

The front lift mechanism 120 further includes a front base 131rotationally connected to the frame 124 at a front pivot 133. A frontextension member 132 extends from the front lift motor 128 to the frontbase 131. The front lift motor 128 causes the front extension member 132to expand or retract. As the front extension member 132 expands, thefront base 131 rotates about the front pivot 133 and lifts the front end112 of the exercise deck 102.

The front lift motor 128 may be connected to the front support member130 with a rotational connection. In this manner, as the front base 131rotates, the front lift motor 128 may rotate to keep the front extensionmember 132 straight and directed toward the front base 131.

The rear lift mechanism 122 includes a rear lift motor 134. The rearlift motor 134 is connected to the frame 124 with a rear support member136 extending between the first beam 126-1 and the second beam 126-2.The rear support member 136 may be located at the rear end 114, orcloser to the rear end 114 than the front end 112 of the exercise deck102. Thus, the rear lift motor 134 may be located at the front end 112,or closer to the front end 112 than the rear end 114 of the exercisedeck 102.

The rear lift mechanism 122 further includes a rear base 138rotationally connected to the frame 124 at a rear pivot 140. A rearextension member 142 extends from the rear lift motor 134 to the rearbase 138. The rear lift motor 134 causes the rear extension member 142to expand or retract. As the rear extension member 142 expands, the rearbase 138 rotates about the rear pivot 140 and lifts the rear end 114 ofthe exercise deck 102.

The rear lift motor 134 may be connected to the rear support member 136with a rotational connection. In this manner, as the rear base 138rotates, the rear lift motor 134 may rotate to keep the rear extensionmember 142 straight and directed toward the rear base 138.

The front extension member 132 and the rear extension member 142 may beany extension member. For example, the front extension member 132 andthe rear extension member 142 may be a hydraulic piston, a pneumaticpiston, a worm gear, a screw gear, a linear motor, a solenoid, or anyother type of extension member. In some embodiments the front extensionmember 132 may be the same as the rear extension member 142. In someembodiments, the front extension member 132 may be different from therear extension member 142.

In the embodiment shown, the front lift motor 128 and the rear liftmotor 134 are different motors. In this manner, the front lift motor 128may operate independent of the rear lift motor 134, and the rear liftmotor 134 may operate independent of the front lift motor 128. This mayprovide the treadmill 100 with a variety of different inclinesimulations and permutations, which may help to simulate an outdoorpath. Simulating an outdoor path may improve the exercise experience forthe user.

FIG. 2 is a representation of a front lift mechanism 220, according toat least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The front liftmechanism 220 includes a front base 231 having a front pivot connection233 that connects to a pivot connection on the frame (e.g., front pivot133 on the frame 124 of FIG. 1-2). A front lift motor 228 extends andretracts a front extension member 232. The front extension member 232 isrotatably connected to a front push member 244. The front push member244 is connected to the front base 231 such that as the front extensionmember 232 pushes on the front push member 244, the front push member244 causes the front base 231 to rotate about the front pivot connection233. This may cause a front end of an exercise deck (e.g., exercise deck102 of FIG. 1-1) to raise, which may simulate an uphill outdoor path onthe treadmill.

FIG. 3 is a representation of a rear lift mechanism 322, according to atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure. The rear lift mechanism322 includes a rear base 338 having a rear pivot connection 340 thatconnects to a pivot connection on the frame (e.g., rear pivot 140 on theframe 124 of FIG. 1-2). A rear lift motor 334 extends and retracts arear extension member 342. The rear extension member 342 is rotatablyconnected to a rear push member 346. The rear push member 346 isconnected to the rear base 338 such that as the rear extension member342 pushes on the rear push member 346, the rear push member 346 causesthe rear base 338 to rotate about the rear pivot connection 340. In theembodiment shown, the rear push member 346 is connected to the rear base338 at or on the rear pivot 140. This may cause a rear end of anexercise deck (e.g., exercise deck 102 of FIG. 1-1) to raise, which maysimulate a downhill path on the treadmill.

FIG. 4-1 is a representation of a side view of a treadmill 400 in alowered or a neutral orientation, according to at least one embodimentof the present disclosure. In the neutral configuration, both the frontbase 431 and the rear base 438 are retracted or lowered. In other words,the front lift mechanism 420 is retracted and the rear lift mechanism422 is retracted. In the neutral configuration, the exercise deck 402 isflat or level, which may simulate a flat path. In the neutralconfiguration, the exercise deck 402 has a deck angle of 0°.

FIG. 4-2 is a representation of a side view of the treadmill 400 of FIG.4-1 in an uphill or inclined configuration, according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. In the inclined configuration, thefront end 412 of the exercise deck 402 is raised higher than the rearend 414. To raise the front end 412, the front base 431 is rotated aboutthe front pivot 433. Rotating the front base 431 may push the front end412 up. To facilitate rotating of the front base 431, one or more wheels448 are attached to a contact edge 450 of the front base 431. This mayallow the contact edge 450 to move smoothly along a support surface sothat the position of the treadmill 400 on the support surface does notchange.

In the embodiment shown, the rear end 414 is fully retracted or lowered.However, the treadmill 400 is in the inclined configuration whenever thefront end 412 is higher than the rear end 414. In this manner, theinclined configuration simulates an uphill or an inclined outdoor path.When raising the front end 412, the exercise deck simulates the start ofa hill, or an increase in the slope of a hill. This may improve theexercise experience by allowing a user to simulate an outdoor path.

FIG. 4-3 is a representation of a side view of the treadmill 400 of FIG.4-1 in a hillcrest or hilltop configuration, according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. In the hillcrest configuration,the front end 412 of the exercise deck 402 is raised by the same amountas the rear end 414. In other words, both the front base 431 and therear base 438 are rotated relative to the front pivot 433 and the rearpivot 440, respectively. Rotating the rear base 438 may push the rearend 414 up. A rear contact edge 452 may be configured to stay in oneplace as the rear base 438 is rotated. Because the front base 431includes one or more wheels 448, as the rear base 438 is rotated, thefront base 431 may shift along the wheels 448. In this manner, thetreadmill 400 may stay in one location while raising or lowering eitherthe front end 112 or the rear end 114. This may improve the stability ofthe treadmill 400 and help to prevent the treadmill 400 from movingabout during operation, which may cause injury to people and/or damageto objects or structures.

In some embodiments, the treadmill 400 may change from the inclinedconfiguration to the hillcrest configuration by raising the rear end 414while the front end 412 is lifted. This may help to simulate crestingthe top of a hill. To a user, reducing the uphill incline of theexercise deck 402 by lowering the front end 412 may not physically orvisually feel the same as raising the rear end 414 to reduce the uphillincline. Reducing the uphill incline by raising the rear end 414 mimicsthe structure of a hill, and may help a user to feel as though he or sheis on an outdoor path. Furthermore, visually, raising the rear end 414to simulate cresting a hill may help the user to feel as though he orshe has reached the top of a hill. Simulating cresting the hill mayfurther improve the exercise experience for the user by improving his orher sense of accomplishment of climbing a hill.

FIG. 4-4 is a representation of a side view of the treadmill 400 of FIG.4-1 in a downhill or declined configuration, according to at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. In the downhill configuration, therear end 414 of the exercise deck 402 is raised higher than the frontend 412. To raise the rear end 414, the rear base 438 is rotated aboutthe rear pivot 440. Raising the rear end 414 of the exercise deck 402may simulate a downhill or a declined path. This may improve theexercise experience for the user by exercising different muscles thanwalking or running on an incline and by providing variety for the user.

In the embodiment shown, the front end 412 is fully retracted orlowered. However, the treadmill 400 is in the downhill configurationwhenever the rear end 414 is higher than the front end 412. To increasethe incline (e.g., decrease the decline), either the front end 412 maybe raised or the rear end 414 may be lowered. This may simulate reachingthe bottom of a hill, which may further improve the exercise experienceby simulating an outdoor path.

FIG. 5-1 is a schematic representation of a treadmill 500 in the neutralorientation, according to at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The treadmill 500 includes an exercise deck 502 with a frontend 512 and a rear end 514. In the neutral orientation, the front end512 is located above a support surface 554 with a front end height 556-1and the rear end 514 is located above the support surface 554 with arear end height 558-1. In the neutral orientation, the front end height556-1 and the rear end height 558-1 are the same. Furthermore, in theneutral orientation, the front end height 556-1 and the rear end height558-1 are minimized, or at their lowest values. In the neutralorientation, the exercise deck 502 has a deck angle of 0°.

During operation, the treadmill 500 may raise the front end 512 to theinclined or uphill orientation shown in FIG. 5-2. In the uphillorientation, the front end 512 is raised to a front end height 556-2that is greater than the rear end height 558-2 of the rear end 514.Raising the front end 512 includes increasing the deck angle 560-2. Inother words, the exercise deck 502 has a deck angle 560-2 that isgreater than 0°. For example, the exercise deck may have a deck angle560-2 of 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, or any value therebetween.

After the front end 512 of the exercise deck 502 has been raised (or thedeck angle 560-2 has been increased), the rear end 514 of the exercisedeck 502 may be raised to the crested or hilltop orientation shown inFIG. 5-3. In the hilltop orientation, the front end height 556-3 is thesame as the rear end height 558-3, and the deck angle is 0°.Furthermore, in the hillcrest orientation, the front end height 556-3and the rear end height 558-3 are greater than the front end height556-1 and the rear end height 558-1 of the neutral orientation. Byraising the rear end 514 of the exercise deck 502 after the incline ofthe exercise deck has been increased, the treadmill 500 may simulate thecresting of a hill, which may improve the exercise experience for theuser.

After the rear end 514 has been raised to the hillcrest orientation, thefront end 512 may be lowered to the decline or downhill orientationshown in FIG. 5-4. In this manner, the treadmill 500 may simulaterunning over the top of a hill and down the downhill side of the hill.In the downhill orientation, the rear end 514 is higher than the frontend 512. In other words, the rear end height 558-4 is greater than thefront end height 556-4. The deck angle 560-4 is negative, which maysimulate a downhill path. In this manner, the exercise experience may beimproved by simulating an uphill path that then travels down the hill.After the front end 512 has been lowered, the rear end 514 may belowered back down to the neutral orientation shown in FIG. 5-1 and thecycle may be repeated.

FIG. 6 is a representation of a method 662 for operating a treadmill.The method 662 includes increasing an incline of an exercise deck from afirst deck angle to a second deck angle by extending a front inclinemechanism at 664. In some embodiments, the first deck angle may be thedeck angle of a neutral orientation, and may be 0°. In some embodiments,the first deck angle may be greater than 0°, and increasing the deckangle may include increasing the deck angle from a value greater than 0°to a value still greater than 0°.

After the incline of the exercise deck is increased from the first deckangle to the second deck angle, the method 662 includes decreasing theincline of the exercise deck from the second deck angle to a third deckangle at by extending a rear incline mechanism at 666. The third deckangle may be 0°. In this manner, the deck angle may be reduced from thesecond deck angle, which is greater than 0°, to the third deck anglewhich is 0°. By raising the rear of the exercise deck, this may simulatecresting a hill.

After the incline is decreased to the third deck angle, the method 662includes further decreasing the incline of the exercise deck from thethird deck angle to a fourth deck angle by retracting the front inclinemechanism at 668. The fourth deck angle is less than 0°. In other words,the fourth deck angle is negative, or on a decline. This may simulatethe transition from a hillcrest to downhill, which may improve theexercise experience for the user by simulating an outdoor path.

The method 662 may further include increasing the incline of theexercise deck from the fourth deck angle to a fifth deck angle byretracting the second incline mechanism. The fifth deck angle may be 0°.In other words, the fifth deck angle may be the same as the first deckangle. This may further simulate a path that transfers from a downhillgrade to a neutral grade, which may improve the exercise experience forthe user by simulating the bottom of a hill.

FIG. 7 is a representation of a method 770 for operating a treadmill,according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Themethod 770 includes raising a front end of an exercise deck with a frontincline mechanism from a first front end height to a second front endheight at 772. A rear end of the exercise deck may be lower than thefront end of the exercise deck.

After raising the front end, the method 770 may include raising the rearend of the exercise deck with a rear incline mechanism from a first rearend height to a second rear end height at 774. In some embodiments, thesecond rear end height is the same as the first rear end height. Thismay simulate cresting the top of a hill and the flat path at the top ofthe hill. This may improve the exercise experience for the user bysimulating an outdoor path.

After raising the rear end, the method 770 includes lowering the frontend of the exercise deck with the front incline mechanism from thesecond front end height to a third front end height at 776. The thirdfront end height is less than the second rear end height. In thismanner, the exercise deck has a decline, or a negative deck angle. Thismay simulate a downhill grade. This may improve the exercise experiencefor the user by more fully simulating an outdoor path.

After lowering the front end of the exercise deck, the rear end may belowered from a second rear end height to a third rear end height. Thethird rear end height may be the same as the third front end height.Thus, the exercise deck may have a neutral orientation, or a deck angleof 0°. This may simulate transitioning from a downhill grade to aneutral grade.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

When operating a treadmill, a user may desire to simulate walking orrunning up a hill. Treadmills often include lift motors that lift afront portion of an exercise deck up to increase the incline of theexercise deck. A user may also desire to simulate walking or runningdown a hill. In some situations, the front portion of the exercise deckof the treadmill may be lowered to simulate a decline. Conventionaltreadmills change the incline of the exercise deck by raising orlowering the front of the exercise deck. Raising the back of theexercise deck while the front of the exercise deck is raised maysimulate cresting a hill more fully than only lowering the front of theexercise deck. This may improve the exercise experience for the user byallowing the user to simulate an outdoor path.

A treadmill includes an exercise deck. A tread belt is strung or wrappedaround the exercise deck from a front pulley to a rear pulley. A drivemotor located in a housing is connected to the front pulley to rotatethe front pulley. As the front pulley rotates, the front pulley rotatesthe tread belt from the front pulley to the rear pulley across theexercise deck, or from a front end to a rear end of the exercise deck.The treadmill includes posts that support a console. The console maydisplay exercise information, include exercise controls, house aprocessor for exercise programs, and so forth.

The treadmill includes a front mechanism at the front end of theexercise deck and a rear lift mechanism at the rear end of the exercisedeck. The front lift mechanism is configured to lift the front end ofthe exercise deck. With the front end lifted, the user may walk or runon the treadmill on an incline, or “uphill.” The rear lift mechanism isconfigured to lift the rear end of the exercise deck. With the rear endlifted, the user may walk or run on the treadmill on a decline, or“downhill.” In some embodiments, the front lift mechanism and the rearlift mechanism may be independently operated. In other words, the frontlift mechanism may raise and lower the front end regardless of theheight of the rear end, and the rear mechanism may raise and lower therear end regardless of the height of the front end. Furthermore, thefront lift mechanism may actuate while the rear lift mechanism isactuating or while the rear lift mechanism is not actuating, and therear lift mechanism may actuate while the front lift mechanism isactuating or while the front lift mechanism is not actuating.

The exercise deck includes or is supported by a frame underneath theexercise deck. In the embodiment shown, the frame includes a first beamand a second beam, the first beam and the second beam being parallel andeach extending longitudinally along the exercise deck. The front liftmechanism is located at the front end of the exercise deck and the rearlift mechanism is located at the rear end of the exercise deck.

The front lift mechanism includes a front lift motor. The front liftmotor is connected to the frame with a front support member extendingbetween the first beam and the second beam. The front support member maybe located at the front end, or closer to the front end than the rearend of the exercise deck. Thus, the front lift motor may be located atthe front end, or closer to the front end than the rear end of theexercise deck.

The front lift mechanism further includes a front base rotationallyconnected to the frame at a front pivot. A front extension memberextends from the front lift motor to the front base. The front liftmotor causes the front extension member to expand or retract. As thefront extension member expands, the front base rotates about the frontpivot and lifts the front end of the exercise deck.

The front lift motor may be connected to the front support member with arotational connection. In this manner, as the front base rotates, thefront lift motor may rotate to keep the front extension member straightand directed toward the front base.

The rear lift mechanism includes a rear lift motor. The rear lift motoris connected to the frame with a rear support member extending betweenthe first beam and the second beam. The rear support member may belocated at the rear end, or closer to the rear end than the front end ofthe exercise deck. Thus, the rear lift motor may be located at the frontend, or closer to the front end than the rear end of the exercise deck.

The rear lift mechanism further includes a rear base rotationallyconnected to the frame at a rear pivot. A rear extension member extendsfrom the rear lift motor to the rear base. The rear lift motor causesthe rear extension member to expand or retract. As the rear extensionmember expands, the rear base rotates about the rear pivot and lifts therear end of the exercise deck.

The rear lift motor may be connected to the rear support member with arotational connection. In this manner, as the rear base rotates, therear lift motor may rotate to keep the rear extension member straightand directed toward the rear base.

The front extension member and the rear extension member may be anyextension member. For example, the front extension member and the rearextension member may be a hydraulic piston, a pneumatic piston, a wormgear, a screw gear, a linear motor, a solenoid, or any other type ofextension member. In some embodiments the front extension member may bethe same as the rear extension member. In some embodiments, the frontextension member may be different from the rear extension member.

The front lift motor and the rear lift motor may be different motors. Inthis manner, the front lift motor may operate independent of the rearlift motor, and the rear lift motor may operate independent of the frontlift motor. This may provide the treadmill with a variety of differentincline simulations and permutations, which may help to simulate anoutdoor path. Simulating an outdoor path may improve the exerciseexperience for the user.

The front lift mechanism includes a front base having a front pivotconnection that connects to a pivot connection on the frame. A frontlift motor extends and retracts a front extension member. The frontextension member is rotatably connected to a front push member. Thefront push member is connected to the front base such that as the frontextension member pushes on the front push member, the front push membercauses the front base to rotate about the front pivot connection. Thismay cause a front end of an exercise deck to raise, which may simulatean uphill outdoor path on the treadmill.

The rear lift mechanism includes a rear base having a rear pivotconnection that connects to a pivot connection on the frame. A rear liftmotor extends and retracts a rear extension member. The rear extensionmember is rotatably connected to a rear push member. The rear pushmember is connected to the rear base such that as the rear extensionmember pushes on the rear push member, the rear push member causes therear base to rotate about the rear pivot connection. In the embodimentshown, the rear push member is connected to the rear base at or on therear pivot. This may cause a rear end of an exercise deck to raise,which may simulate a downhill path on the treadmill.

In a neutral configuration, both the front base and the rear base areretracted or lowered. In other words, the front lift mechanism isretracted and the rear lift mechanism is retracted. In the neutralconfiguration, the exercise deck is flat or level, which may simulate aflat path.

In an inclined configuration, the front end of the exercise deck israised higher than the rear end. To raise the front end, the front baseis rotated about the front pivot. Rotating the front base may push thefront end up. To facilitate rotating of the front base, one or morewheels are attached to a contact edge of the front base. This may allowthe contact edge to move smoothly along a support surface so that theposition of the treadmill on the support surface does not change.

The rear end may be fully retracted or lowered. However, the treadmillis in the inclined configuration whenever the front end is higher thanthe rear end. In this manner, the inclined configuration simulates anuphill or an inclined outdoor path. When raising the front end, theexercise deck simulates the start of a hill, or an increase in the slopeof a hill. This may improve the exercise experience by allowing a userto simulate an outdoor path.

In a hillcrest configuration, the front end of the exercise deck israised by the same amount as the rear end. In other words, both thefront base and the rear base are rotated relative to the front pivot andthe rear pivot, respectively. Rotating the rear base may push the rearend up. A rear contact edge may be configured to stay in one place asthe rear base is rotated. Because the front base includes one or morewheels, as the rear base is rotated, the front base may shift along thewheels. In this manner, the treadmill may stay in one location whileraising or lowering either the front end or the rear end. This mayimprove the stability of the treadmill and help to prevent the treadmillfrom moving about during operation, which may cause injury to peopleand/or damage to objects or structures.

In some embodiments, the treadmill may change from the inclinedconfiguration to the hillcrest configuration by raising the rear endwhile the front end is lifted. This may help to simulate cresting thetop of a hill. To a user, reducing the uphill incline of the exercisedeck by lowering the front end may not feel the same as raising the rearend to reduce the uphill incline. Reducing the uphill incline by raisingthe rear end mimics the structure of a hill, and may help a user to feelas though he or she is on an outdoor path. Furthermore, visually,raising the rear end to simulate cresting a hill may help the user tofeel as though he or she has reached the top of a hill. Simulatingcresting the hill may further improve the exercise experience for theuser by improving his or her sense of accomplishment at climbing a hill.

In a downhill configuration, the rear end of the exercise deck is raisedhigher than the front end. To raise the rear end, the rear base isrotated about the rear pivot. Raising the rear end of the exercise deckmay simulate a downhill or a declined path. This may improve theexercise experience for the user by exercising different muscles thanwalking or running on an incline and by providing variety for the user.

The treadmill may be in the downhill configuration whenever the rear endis higher than the front end. To increase the incline (e.g., decreasethe decline), either the front end may be raised or the rear end may belowered. This may simulate reaching the bottom of a hill, which mayfurther improve the exercise experience by simulating an outdoor path.

In some embodiments, a change in incline from the uphill orientation tothe downhill orientation may engage different stabilizer muscles. Forexample, an incline may engage stabilizer muscles in the feet, legs, andcore associated with walking or running up a hill. Similarly, a declinemay engage stabilizer muscles in the feet, legs, and core associatedwith walking or running down a hill. Engaging and exercising stabilizermuscles may improve overall fitness, reduce the likelihood of injury,and help to recover from injury.

In some embodiments, the treadmill may transition between the uphill anddownhill configurations smoothly. In other words, one or both of thefront incline mechanism and the rear incline mechanism may becontinuously operating. In this manner, when the rear incline mechanismdecreases the incline to crest the hill, the front incline mechanism mayimmediately begin further decreasing the incline to begin a downhillconfiguration. This may provide the user with a heal kick. In otherwords, the rear end of the exercise deck may impart some momentum to theuser at the crest of the hill and the transition from the uphillconfiguration to the downhill configuration. This heal kick may engagestabilizer muscles in the user's feet, legs, and core. This may furtherimprove the exercise experience by exercising muscles that may otherwisebe ignored.

In some embodiments, at least one of the front lift mechanism (and thefront lift motor) and the rear lift mechanism (and the rear lift motor)may be constantly operating. In this manner, the incline of thetreadmill may be constantly changing. Outdoor paths are not perfectlyflat, and constantly changing the incline of the treadmill by operatingone or both of the front lift mechanism and the rear lift mechanism maytherefore more fully simulate exercising outdoors. In this manner, rearend of the treadmill may be constantly moving or operating. In someembodiments, the rear lift mechanism may be constantly operating duringa workout. In some embodiments, the front lift mechanism may beconstantly operating during a workout. In some embodiments, both thefront and the rear lift mechanisms may be constantly operating during aworkout.

In some embodiments, the front lift mechanism and the rear liftmechanism may actuate when the tread belt is moving. In other words, theincline of the exercise deck may be changed between the neutralorientation, to the uphill orientation, and the downhill orientationwhile the tread belt is moving. In some embodiments, the height of therear end of the exercise deck and/or the height of the front end of theexercise deck may be changing continuously during a workout. In someembodiments, raising and lowering of the front end of the exercise deckand/or raising and lowering the rear end of the exercise deck may occurat a lift rate that is non-zero. In some embodiments, the lift rate maybe non-zero for one or both of the front end and the rear end of theexercise deck for an entirety of a workout. In some embodiments, thelift rate may be 0.5° per second, 1.0° per second, 1.5° per second, 2.0°per second, 2.5° per second, 3° per second, 3.5° per second, 4° persecond, 4.5° per second, 5.0° per second, 5.5° per second, 6.0° persecond, 6.5° per second, 7.0° per second, 7.5° per second, 8.0° persecond, 8.5° per second, 9.0° per second, or any value therebetween.Different lift rates may improve the exercise experience by allowing theuser to change how quickly a hill is started, finished, or crested,which may engage different stabilizer muscles and have a different feel.

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are describedherein. These described embodiments are examples of the presentlydisclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concisedescription of these embodiments, not all features of an actualembodiment may be described in the specification. It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerous embodiment-specificdecisions will be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, suchas compliance with system-related and business-related constraints,which may vary from one embodiment to another. Moreover, it should beappreciated that such a development effort might be complex and timeconsuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design,fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having thebenefit of this disclosure.

The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there areone or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, anyelement described in relation to an embodiment herein may be combinablewith any element of any other embodiment described herein. Numbers,percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended toinclude that value, and also other values that are “about” or“approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the presentdisclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadlyenough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the statedvalue to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. Thestated values include at least the variation to be expected in asuitable manufacturing or production process, and may include valuesthat are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a statedvalue.

A person having ordinary skill in the art should realize in view of thepresent disclosure that equivalent constructions do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that various changes,substitutions, and alterations may be made to embodiments disclosedherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Equivalent constructions, including functional“means-plus-function” clauses are intended to cover the structuresdescribed herein as performing the recited function, including bothstructural equivalents that operate in the same manner, and equivalentstructures that provide the same function. It is the express intentionof the applicant not to invoke means-plus-function or other functionalclaiming for any claim except for those in which the words ‘means for’appear together with an associated function. Each addition, deletion,and modification to the embodiments that falls within the meaning andscope of the claims is to be embraced by the claims.

The terms “approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” as used hereinrepresent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs adesired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms“approximately,” “about,” and “substantially” may refer to an amountthat is within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of a stated amount. Further, itshould be understood that any directions or reference frames in thepreceding description are merely relative directions or movements. Forexample, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” aremerely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the relatedelements.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope ofthe disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating a treadmill, comprising:increasing an incline of an exercise deck from a first deck angle to asecond deck angle by actuating a front incline mechanism; afterincreasing the incline of the exercise deck from the first deck angle tothe second deck angle, decreasing the incline of the exercise deck fromthe second deck angle to a third deck angle by actuating a rear inclinemechanism; and after decreasing the incline, further decreasing theincline of the exercise deck from the third deck angle to a fourth deckangle by retracting the front incline mechanism, wherein the fourth deckangle is less than 0°.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingincreasing the incline of the exercise deck from the fourth deck angleto a fifth deck angle by retracting the rear incline mechanism afterfurther decreasing the incline.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thefifth deck angle is 0°.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the fifth deckangle is the same as the first deck angle.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the first deck angle is 0°.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe third deck angle is 0°.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the thirddeck angle is parallel to the first deck angle.
 8. A method foroperating a treadmill, comprising: raising a front end of an exercisedeck with a front incline mechanism from a first front end height to asecond front end height; after raising the front end, raising a rear endof the exercise deck with a rear incline mechanism from a first rear endheight to a second rear end height; and after raising the rear end,lowering the front end of the exercise deck with the front inclinemechanism from the second front end height to a third front end height.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second front end height is thesame as the second rear end height.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinthe third front end height is lower than the second rear end height. 11.The method of claim 8, further comprising lowering the rear end of theexercise deck with the rear incline mechanism from the second rear endheight to a third rear end height after lowering the front end of thetreadmill.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the third front endheight is the same as the third rear end height.
 13. The method of claim11, wherein the first front end height is the same as the third frontend height and the first rear end height is the same as the third rearend height.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first front endheight, the third front end height, the first rear end height and thethird rear end height are all the same.
 15. The method of claim 8,wherein a lift rate for the rear end height is non-zero for an entiretyof a workout.
 16. A treadmill, comprising: an exercise deck including aframe on a bottom of the exercise deck, the frame including a front endand a rear end; a front base rotationally connected to the front end ofthe frame; a rear base rotationally connected to the rear end of theframe; a front pulley connected to the exercise deck; a rear pulleyconnected to the exercise deck; a tread belt strung around the exercisedeck from the front pulley to the rear pulley; a drive motor configuredto rotate the front pulley such that the front pulley rotates the treadbelt across a top of the exercise deck from the front pulley to the rearpulley; a front lift mechanism including a front lift motor attached tothe front end of the frame, the front lift motor extending andretracting a front extension member connected to the front base, whereinwhen the front extension member is extended, the front base rotates andlifts the front end of the frame; and a rear lift mechanism including arear lift motor attached to the rear end of the frame, the rear liftmotor operating a rear extension member, wherein when the rear extensionmember is extended, the rear base rotates and lifts the rear end of theframe.
 17. The treadmill of claim 16, wherein the treadmill is supportedon a support surface by the front base and the rear base.
 18. Thetreadmill of claim 16, wherein the frame includes a first beam, a secondbeam parallel to the first beam, a front support member between thefirst beam and the second beam at the front end of the frame, and a rearsupport member between the first beam and the second beam at the rearend of the frame, and wherein the front lift motor is attached to theframe at the front support member and the rear lift motor is attached tothe frame at the rear support member.
 19. The treadmill of claim 16,wherein the front lift motor extends and retracts the front extensionmember independent of a height of the rear end of the frame.
 20. Thetreadmill of claim 16, wherein the front extension member lifts thefront end of the frame with a maximum front lift and the rear extensionmember lifts the rear end of the frame with a maximum rear lift, themaximum front lift being the same as the maximum rear lift.